author
Brother of the Resurrection Lawrence
1611–1691
Known for finding deep peace in ordinary work, this 17th-century Carmelite brother became one of the most beloved guides to simple, steady prayer. His legacy lives on through the spiritual classic often called The Practice of the Presence of God.
1 Audiobook
The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life
by Brother of the Resurrection Lawrence
About the author
Born Nicolas Herman in Lorraine, France, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection was a 17th-century Discalced Carmelite lay brother. Sources differ on his exact birth year, but he is widely associated with the period 1611–1691. Before entering religious life in Paris, he served as a soldier and later worked in domestic service.
He joined the Carmelites in 1640 and spent much of his life doing humble daily work, especially in the monastery kitchen and later in repairing sandals. What made him memorable was not public preaching or scholarly writing, but the calm, practical way he spoke about turning every task into prayer and living with a continual awareness of God.
After his death on February 12, 1691, his conversations and letters were gathered into the book now known as The Practice of the Presence of God. Its appeal has lasted for centuries because of its warmth and simplicity: holiness, in his view, could be found not only in silence and worship, but also in the most ordinary moments of everyday life.